Wilfred Owens Dulce et Decorum Est Essay Example

Wilfred Owens Dulce et Decorum Est Paper The 20th century was a time of great conflict and turmoil, with many wars breaking out between the countries of the world. Many different attitudes towards to the wars were seen during the century, in the form of poems from various poets involved in war. From the quiet heroic patriotism seen in Rupert Brookes the Soldier, the tragedy and horror seen in Wilfred Owens Dulce et Decorum Est, to Siegfried Sassoons Suicide in the Trenches, war poetry captures a vast array of different subjects regarding war. Through these poets subject matter and tone, diction, structure and their poems titles, all three poets are able to articulate their personal views on war to the reader.Although the poems are all written regarding the First World War, they illustrate different tones in their writing, but all concern the subject matter of death. Brookes poem the Soldier has a gentle and patriotic tone, with a mood of solace in the death of the soldier. This can be seen in the first stanza of the poem, B rooke tenderly depicting his forecasted death in the foreign soil, which will, in turn, eternally become a part of England. In the second stanza, the tone changes to one of peace and serenity, through the use of phrases such as dreams happy as her day, laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness, and In hearts at peace.These words all have positive connotations, erasing the initial inference of death in the first stanza. Brooke seamlessly insinuates the glory and patriotism in dying for England, his country of birth. A contrast can be seen in Owens Dulce et Decorum Est, which was written several years after the publication of the Soldier. Dulce et Decorum Est depicts the gruesome death of a friend and fellow comrade during a gas attack. It has a sad and morose quality to the words with irony in the last stanza, and brings attention to the horrible reality of war through the unheroic death of a friend blatantly contrasting the death in Brookes poem. Sassoons Suicide in the Trenches is different in both the tone and death of a soldier.Sassoon describes the inglorious suicide of a simple soldier boy, with pity and bitterness, which is prevalent in the last stanza, describing the cheering crowds back home as smug-faced, as they erroneously think of soldiers a brave and heroic. Sassoon uses a soft tone to desire pity from the reader, whereas Owen has a distinctly harsh tone. Both these poems strongly contrast Brookes serene tone of patriotism. Whilst Brookes, Owens and Sassoons poems describe the death of war soldiers, they vary in tone and mood.The divergent use of diction in the three poems reinforces the poets varying opinions on war and conflict. Brookes choice of words are tranquil, content and peaceful words that are not often seen in poetry regarding tragedy. Brooke speaks of the soil in which the soldier perhaps himself- would be placed in upon his death, describing it as a concealed rich dust of which England bore, shaped, made aware, which quietly and proudly insinuates the glory of death in war, subconsciously urging the reader to feel a sense of patriotism.However, Owen refers to the soldiers death in a horrifying manner, with powerful diction such as guttering, choking, drowning, and strong graphic similes such as like a devils sick of sin, to convey his views on the true atrociousness of war. Sassoon uses diction such as cowed and glum and lonesome dark, and the direct statement He put a bullet through his brain, to represent the pity and morose quality of the soldiers death, contrasting to both Owens graphical horror and Brookes calm serenity. The diction used in all three poems reflects the views and attitudes of the poets, reinforcing their beliefs to the reader, and in some cases changing their opinion on war.The structures of Brookes, Owens and Sassoons poems vary, with each uniquely structuring their ideas to reinforce different points throughout their poems. Brooke elucidates his message by choosing an unusual structur e, a fourteen-line iambic pentameter sonnet. It is unusual because there are no obvious couplets, but it includes an octet and a sestet. The difference between them is that in the first stanza, the soldier describes his last will on his way to the war. The second stanza takes place in the future when he is dead and he describes what presumably will happen after he is deceased. Splitting the two into different sections reinforces the second stanza the proud manner of the soldiers death.The structure of Dulce et Decorum Est is based on two sonnets. The first with a stanza of eight lines and one of six lines follows the conventional stanza form, also known as the Petrarchian sonnet. The second sonnet is a modified form of the Shakespearian sonnet, with the modifications clarifying Owens message. The two-line couplet describing the horrific manner of death is a good example of this. The couplet is isolated to further reiterate the nature and calamity in the death of the soldier, repres enting one of millions. Owen also uses an iambic pentameter in his poem, however it uses full rhymes throughout the poem sacksbacks, sludgetrudge and bootshoots, to name a few.However, it is broken in the lines that describe the gas attack on the soldiers. The technique of breaking up the iambic pentameter in the two lines is effective in conveying the sense of panic and helplessness under the attack. Contrasting both Owens and Brookes structures, Sassoons poem has three stanzas in a regular AA/BB rhyming scheme, and like Brookes and Owens poems, Sassoons too has an iambic pentameter. The stanzas are split accordingly with different happenings the first one describing a young boy who, grinned at life, the second stanza describes his death, and the last stanzas rebukes the crowds back home. In splitting the stanzas up into these three different sections and having a regular rhythm, Sassoon is able to walk the reader through the reality of war in just a few lines. All three poets us e their structure as a technique to reinforce their different points, and to enunciate specific occurrences in the poem.All three poets use intrigue in their titles to entice the reader to the poem. Brooke uses a simple straight-to-the-point title for his poem the Soldier, which creates a myriad of conflicting images for the reader from a heroic soldier in battle to the grave of the same man, it allures the reader to ascertain what kind of solider Brooke is describing. It differs to the title of Owens poem Dulce et Decorum est in that it is a complete different language. Those who are familiar with Latin will understand the irony in the title as they read the poem, because it means Its a sweet and seemly thing to die for your country. Those who are not familiar with Latin would still be intrigued however; the first line is enough to immediately catch anyones attention.In sharp contrast to both of these, Sassoons choice of title for Suicide in the Trenches is descriptive and immedia tely sets the scene for the poem, reeling the reader in. The title is stated as a matter-of-fact, almost like it is not a major concern, effectively gaining the attention of the reader. Through the titles of Brookes, Owens and Sassoons poems, the reader is intrigued and is inquisitive about the story behind the poem, successfully catching the interest of the reader.Brooke, Owen and Sassoon use poetic techniques such as subject matter and tone, diction and structure to effectively connect with the reader on an emotional level, and also to express their own respective views on war. In comparing and reading through these poems, I have been able to clearly see the different perspectives and opinions on war. War is one of the most incredibly vain and violent things that can happen to a nation and to an individual, regardless of patriotism.I did not agree with the devotion the soldier in Brookes poem had to England and although the idea of his death was beautifully portrayed, the reality would have been the polar opposite. I found that I strongly agreed with Owen and Sassoons poems, because were much closer to the truth, and really dispelled any misconception one might have on the veracity of war. These poems have further reinforced my initial standing on war that it is futile and antiquated, and always will result in destruction, devastation, catastrophe and loss, with absolutely no positive gain. Wilfred Owens Dulce et Decorum Est Essay Example Wilfred Owens Dulce et Decorum Est Essay The 20th century was a time of great conflict and turmoil, with many wars breaking out between the countries of the world. Many different attitudes towards to the wars were seen during the century, in the form of poems from various poets involved in war. From the quiet heroic patriotism seen in Rupert Brookes the Soldier, the tragedy and horror seen in Wilfred Owens Dulce et Decorum Est, to Siegfried Sassoons Suicide in the Trenches, war poetry captures a vast array of different subjects regarding war. Through these poets subject matter and tone, diction, structure and their poems titles, all three poets are able to articulate their personal views on war to the reader.Although the poems are all written regarding the First World War, they illustrate different tones in their writing, but all concern the subject matter of death. Brookes poem the Soldier has a gentle and patriotic tone, with a mood of solace in the death of the soldier. This can be seen in the first stanza of the poem, B rooke tenderly depicting his forecasted death in the foreign soil, which will, in turn, eternally become a part of England. In the second stanza, the tone changes to one of peace and serenity, through the use of phrases such as dreams happy as her day, laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness, and In hearts at peace.These words all have positive connotations, erasing the initial inference of death in the first stanza. Brooke seamlessly insinuates the glory and patriotism in dying for England, his country of birth. A contrast can be seen in Owens Dulce et Decorum Est, which was written several years after the publication of the Soldier. Dulce et Decorum Est depicts the gruesome death of a friend and fellow comrade during a gas attack. It has a sad and morose quality to the words with irony in the last stanza, and brings attention to the horrible reality of war through the unheroic death of a friend blatantly contrasting the death in Brookes poem. Sassoons Suicide in the Trenches is different in both the tone and death of a soldier.Sassoon describes the inglorious suicide of a simple soldier boy, with pity and bitterness, which is prevalent in the last stanza, describing the cheering crowds back home as smug-faced, as they erroneously think of soldiers a brave and heroic. Sassoon uses a soft tone to desire pity from the reader, whereas Owen has a distinctly harsh tone. Both these poems strongly contrast Brookes serene tone of patriotism. Whilst Brookes, Owens and Sassoons poems describe the death of war soldiers, they vary in tone and mood.The divergent use of diction in the three poems reinforces the poets varying opinions on war and conflict. Brookes choice of words are tranquil, content and peaceful words that are not often seen in poetry regarding tragedy. Brooke speaks of the soil in which the soldier perhaps himself- would be placed in upon his death, describing it as a concealed rich dust of which England bore, shaped, made aware, which quietly and proudly insinuates the glory of death in war, subconsciously urging the reader to feel a sense of patriotism.However, Owen refers to the soldiers death in a horrifying manner, with powerful diction such as guttering, choking, drowning, and strong graphic similes such as like a devils sick of sin, to convey his views on the true atrociousness of war. Sassoon uses diction such as cowed and glum and lonesome dark, and the direct statement He put a bullet through his brain, to represent the pity and morose quality of the soldiers death, contrasting to both Owens graphical horror and Brookes calm serenity. The diction used in all three poems reflects the views and attitudes of the poets, reinforcing their beliefs to the reader, and in some cases changing their opinion on war.The structures of Brookes, Owens and Sassoons poems vary, with each uniquely structuring their ideas to reinforce different points throughout their poems. Brooke elucidates his message by choosing an unusual structur e, a fourteen-line iambic pentameter sonnet. It is unusual because there are no obvious couplets, but it includes an octet and a sestet. The difference between them is that in the first stanza, the soldier describes his last will on his way to the war. The second stanza takes place in the future when he is dead and he describes what presumably will happen after he is deceased. Splitting the two into different sections reinforces the second stanza the proud manner of the soldiers death.The structure of Dulce et Decorum Est is based on two sonnets. The first with a stanza of eight lines and one of six lines follows the conventional stanza form, also known as the Petrarchian sonnet. The second sonnet is a modified form of the Shakespearian sonnet, with the modifications clarifying Owens message. The two-line couplet describing the horrific manner of death is a good example of this. The couplet is isolated to further reiterate the nature and calamity in the death of the soldier, repres enting one of millions. Owen also uses an iambic pentameter in his poem, however it uses full rhymes throughout the poem sacksbacks, sludgetrudge and bootshoots, to name a few.However, it is broken in the lines that describe the gas attack on the soldiers. The technique of breaking up the iambic pentameter in the two lines is effective in conveying the sense of panic and helplessness under the attack. Contrasting both Owens and Brookes structures, Sassoons poem has three stanzas in a regular AA/BB rhyming scheme, and like Brookes and Owens poems, Sassoons too has an iambic pentameter. The stanzas are split accordingly with different happenings the first one describing a young boy who, grinned at life, the second stanza describes his death, and the last stanzas rebukes the crowds back home. In splitting the stanzas up into these three different sections and having a regular rhythm, Sassoon is able to walk the reader through the reality of war in just a few lines. All three poets us e their structure as a technique to reinforce their different points, and to enunciate specific occurrences in the poem.All three poets use intrigue in their titles to entice the reader to the poem. Brooke uses a simple straight-to-the-point title for his poem the Soldier, which creates a myriad of conflicting images for the reader from a heroic soldier in battle to the grave of the same man, it allures the reader to ascertain what kind of solider Brooke is describing. It differs to the title of Owens poem Dulce et Decorum est in that it is a complete different language. Those who are familiar with Latin will understand the irony in the title as they read the poem, because it means Its a sweet and seemly thing to die for your country. Those who are not familiar with Latin would still be intrigued however; the first line is enough to immediately catch anyones attention.In sharp contrast to both of these, Sassoons choice of title for Suicide in the Trenches is descriptive and immedia tely sets the scene for the poem, reeling the reader in. The title is stated as a matter-of-fact, almost like it is not a major concern, effectively gaining the attention of the reader. Through the titles of Brookes, Owens and Sassoons poems, the reader is intrigued and is inquisitive about the story behind the poem, successfully catching the interest of the reader.Brooke, Owen and Sassoon use poetic techniques such as subject matter and tone, diction and structure to effectively connect with the reader on an emotional level, and also to express their own respective views on war. In comparing and reading through these poems, I have been able to clearly see the different perspectives and opinions on war. War is one of the most incredibly vain and violent things that can happen to a nation and to an individual, regardless of patriotism.I did not agree with the devotion the soldier in Brookes poem had to England and although the idea of his death was beautifully portrayed, the reality would have been the polar opposite. I found that I strongly agreed with Owen and Sassoons poems, because were much closer to the truth, and really dispelled any misconception one might have on the veracity of war. These poems have further reinforced my initial standing on war that it is futile and antiquated, and always will result in destruction, devastation, catastrophe and loss, with absolutely no positive gain.

Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield

Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield   Overview Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, known as â€Å"The Black Swan,† was considered the most well-known African-American concert performer of the 19th Century. African-American music historian James M. Trotter lauded Greenfield for her remarkably sweet tones and wide vocal compass. Early Childhood The exact date of Greenfield’s date is unknown yet historians believe it was in 1819. Born Elizabeth Taylor on a plantation in Natchez, Miss., Greenfield moved to Philadelphia in the 1820s with the mistress, Holliday Greenfield. After relocating to Philadelphia and becoming a Quaker, Holliday Greenfield freed her slaves. Greenfield’s parents migrated to Liberia but she stayed behind and lived with her former mistress. The Black Swan Sometime during Greenfield’s childhood, she developed a love of singing. Soon after, she became a vocalist at her local church. Despite a lack of musical training, Greenfield was a self-taught pianist and harpist. With a multi-octave range, Greenfield was able to sing soprano, tenor and bass. By the 1840s, Greenfield began performing at private functions and by 1851, she performed in front of a concert audience. After travelling to Buffalo, New York to see another vocalist perform, Greenfield took the stage. Soon after she received positive reviews in local newspapers who nicknamed her â€Å"African Nightingale† and â€Å"Black Swan.† Albany-based newspaper The Daily Register said, â€Å"the compass of her marvelous voice embraces twenty-seven notes each reaching from the sonorous bass of a baritone to a few notes above even Jenny Lind’s highs.†   Greenfield launched a tour that would make Greenfield the first African-American concert singer to be recognized for her talents. Greenfield was best known for her renditions of music by George Frideric Handel, Vincenzo Bellini and Gaetano Donizetti. In addition, Greenfield sang American standards such as Henry Bishop’s â€Å"Home! Sweet Home!† and Stephen Foster’s â€Å"Old Folks at Home.† Although Greenfield was happy to perform at concert halls such as Metropolitan Hall, it was to all white audiences. As a result, Greenfield felt compelled to perform for African-Americans as well. She often performed benefit concerts for institutions such as the Home of Aged Colored Persons and the Colored Orphan Asylum. Eventually, Greenfield traveled to Europe, touring throughout the United Kingdom. Greenfield’s acclaim was not met without disdain. In 1853, Greenfield was set to perform at Metropolitan Hall when a threat of arson was received. And while touring in England, Greenfield’s manager refused to release funds for her expenses, making it impossible for her stay. Yet Greenfield would not be dissuaded. She appealed to abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe who arranged for patronage in England from the Duchesses of Sutherland, Norfolk and Argyle. Soon after, Greenfield received training from George Smart, a musician with ties to the Royal Family. This relationship worked in Greenfield’s benefit and by 1854, she was performing at Buckingham Palace for Queen Victoria. Following her return to the United States, Greenfield continued to tour and perform throughout the Civil War. During this time, she made several appearances with prominent African-Americans such as Frederick Douglas and Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. Greenfield performed for white audiences and also for fundraisers to benefit African-American organizations. In addition to performing, Greenfield worked as a vocal coach, helping up and coming singers such as Thomas J. Bowers and Carrie Thomas. On March 31, 1876, Greenfield died in Philadelphia. Legacy In 1921, entrepreneur Harry Pace established Black Swan Records. The company, which was the first African-American owned record label, was named in honor of Greenfield, who was the first African-American vocalist to achieve international acclaim.